Seven Fear & Greed Indicators

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is at 12.12. This is a neutral reading and indicates that market risks appear low.

Last changed Jul 9 from an Extreme Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:14pm

Put and Call Options

Fear

During the last five trading days, volume in put options has lagged volume in call options by 34.57% as investors make bullish bets in their portfolios. However, this is still among the highest levels of put buying seen during the last two years, indicating fear on the part of investors.

Last changed Jul 30 from an Extreme Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:02pm

Safe Haven Demand

Extreme Fear

Stocks and bonds have provided similar returns during the last 20 trading days. However, this has been among the weakest periods for stocks relative to bonds in the past two years and indicates investors are fleeing risky stocks for the safety of bonds.

Last changed Jul 30 from a Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:38pm

Junk Bond Demand

Extreme Fear

Investors in low quality junk bonds are demanding 2.06 percentage points in additional yield over safer investment grade corporate bonds. This spread is much higher than what has been typical during the last two years and indicates that investors are highly risk averse.

Last changed Jul 21 from a Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:00pm

Stock Price Breadth

Extreme Fear

The McClellan Volume Summation Index measures advancing and declining volume on the NYSE. During the last month, approximately 3.85% more of each day's volume has traded in declining issues than in advancing issues, pushing this indicator towards the lower end of its range for the last two years.

Last changed Jun 3 from a Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:10pm

Market Momentum

Extreme Fear

The S&P 500 is slightly above its 125-day average. During the last two years, the S&P 500 index has often been further above its 125-day average than it currently is, so declines like this indicate extreme fear.

Last changed Jul 22 from a Fear rating

Updated Jul 31 at 4:19pm

Stock Price Strength

Extreme Fear

The number of stocks hitting 52-week lows exceeds the number hitting highs and is at the lower end of its range, indicating extreme fear.